Law enforcement agencies across the board in Mackinac County reported less criminal activity at this year's car show in comparison to past years, with most citations issued relating to minor traffic violations, for a total of about 30 citations this year. The St. Ignace Car Show was Thursday, June 24, through Saturday, June 26. Police agencies on patrol at the event included the St. Ignace City Police, Michigan State Police, Mackinac County Sheriff's Office, Sault Tribe Police Department, and Mackinaw City Police Department.

“I think it's under control,” said St. Ignace Police Chief Mark Wilk, who said all six city officers were patrolling the streets at the show.

“I didn't hear of any problems with any of the bars, and I think it was the same for all of the officers through all of the different agencies.”

Mr. Wilk, who directed the show for the first time this year, said the department issued only one citation for careless driving and issued a few parking citations.

For the past several years, arrests and crimes have been on the decline at the annual show, which a decade or so ago drew a rowdier crowd, and police have credited their crackdown on open consumption of alcohol in recent years with bringing the event under better control.

“Word has gotten out that you can't drink alcohol and that we want it to be a family show,” he said. “I've had a lot of people say thanks for making it a family show again, and they're back with their grandchildren.”

The Michigan State Police had seven troopers from the St. Ignace post on duty during the weekend, including two troopers from the Mackinac Island detail, reported Lieutenant Joe Shier.

The state police issued 15 citations over the weekend: Nine for careless driving, two for speeding, one for driving under the influence, one for no car insurance, one registration violation, and one seat belt violation. The numbers were slightly down from last year, when the post had three arrests and 21 citations.

“It gets quieter every year,” Lt. Shier said of the level of crime during the car show. “It's become a more family-oriented event because of the law enforcement. Most of the problems this year had to do with the way people were driving, whether they were speeding or squealing their tires. Those actions were the highest percentage of the problems.”

The Mackinac County Sheriff's Office had 10 officers on duty Friday evening and nine Saturday, Sheriff Scott Strait said. The county issued one citation for careless driving, two for speeding, and one for an insurance violation. Five people were booked into the county jail during the weekend.

“I think the crowd has learned over the years that we gear up for this,” he said, “and we're tight on the driving rules. We have a very obvious police presence that I think has led to the slow decline in the numbers that we get, so it was pretty typical” this year.

Mr. Strait said that after watching the car show evolve over the years, it's now “back to where it should be,” pointing out that the environment is more family oriented than in years past.

“We don't have to take as much law enforcement action because it's smaller than it was and we have enough resources. The atmosphere of the auto show has gone from one of a Mardi Gras party . . . to one of you see more kids and older people, and it's more about the cars than the partying,” he said.

Collaboration among police agencies in the county plays an important role for special events like the car show, he said, noting that two meetings were held this year to coordinate the law enforcement strategy.

“We get together and talk about what we need to do to have adequate resources to cover whatever contingency might be out there,” he explained. “I'm still responsible for responding to calls throughout Mackinac County, and I work with the state police. If my guys are tied up, we figure out where cars are needed to handle complaints.”

He added that agencies work collaboratively on local events.

“We approach everything in law enforcement in Mackinac County as a team effort,” he said. “Wherever there's law enforcement assistance needed, we go.”

Robert Marchand, chief of police for the Sault Tribe Police Department, also stressed the importance of teamwork among agencies. His department, which had six officers on duty Friday evening and four Saturday, issued a few minor citations and made an arrest on a warrant.

“With the economy being what it is, it's nice to be able to collaborate with special events like this so that each agency is bringing some- thing to the table,” he said. “We all have jurisdictions and different roles, and over the years we've worked tremendously on our efforts to work together.”

Mackinaw City Police Chief Pat Wyman said that he had one officer on duty in St. Ignace during the weekend. He reported one assault citation, six minor traffic violations, and several complaints. He said he intends to have more officers on duty in his town next year, pointing out that numerous people from the car show came to Mackinaw City Saturday evening.

For one complaint, Mr. Wyman said he was called out in the middle of the night to check on some rowdy motel guests in Mackinaw City who had come from the car show.

“They said they were acting that way [here] because St. Ignace has zero tolerance for that type of thing,” he said.